1. Background

• pinworm (Enterobius vermicularis) eggs are ingested and migrate to the duodenum where they hatch, mature, and then travel to the cecum; the adult females emerge at night through the anus and deposit their eggs in the perianal region then die; the eggs stick to the skin and cause perianal pruritis -> scratching -> accumulation of the eggs under the fingernails -> autoinfection and spread
• the eggs may also fall off the skin into the underclothing, pajamas, or sheets where they remain viable for 3-4 weeks
• the eggs may be acquired by direct contact with contaminated areas but to be infectious the eggs must be swallowed
• man is the only natural host to pinworms
• the pinworms appear as 1 cm long, white, thread-like worms while the ova are asymmetric with a flattened side and measure 30 x 60 um

1. Gastrointestinal Manifestations

• nocturnal anal pruritis

2. Other Manifestations

• vaginitis
• salpingitis

1. Diagnostic

• apply adhesive cellophane tape to the perianal region early in the morning upon awakening -> apply the tape to a glass slide and look for the eggs under a low power microscope

1. Supportive

• all household members should wash their hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, and while preparing or eating food
• trim fingernails of all those affected

2. Medical